Different views on Chocola, MoveOn.org

April 25, 2006

I can't think of a better endorsement of U.S. Rep. Chris Chocola, R-Bristol, than having MoveOn.org oppose you. MoveOn.org hosted the hate-filled Bush/Hitler ad nonsense on-line a few years ago. It really just proved the opposite as the group is around; Hitler disposed of such people. MoveOn.org explained that the ad was not theirs but a contest entry. I guess it only found the entry a little inappropriate after they realized it backlashed. Most decent thinking people would not have put such rubbish on their Web site. Before people believe MoveOn.org's current ad maybe they should do a little checking into the people themselves. To quote one of them concerning the Democratic Party, "We bought it, we own it, we're going to take it back." Yeah, good luck with that. Wonder if its billionaire funders asked the little people who belong to the same party if that was all right. I don't remember being asked but then I left the Democratic Party some time ago and would not think of going back as long as MoveOn.org now owns it.

Rand BurkholderPlymouth

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Out of step Regarding Tribune staff writer James Wensits' April 5 article about U.S. Rep. Chris Chocola's reaction to MoveOn.org's exposure of his receiving a total $80,000 from energy companies: I am appalled by Chocola's attempt to manipulate the situation by asking for a ban on advertisements and trying to control reporting about his activities. Advertisements can be a good public service when solid reporting by media is missing. MoveOn.org is not the radical organization that Chocola would have us believe. Had our Congress and Senate in Washington done a better job self-policing in cases of excessive power of political action committees, election irregularities and campaign funding reform, MoveOn.org would not have he role it now has. The people of District 2 are not stupid. We understand we need to reduce our consumption of oil and gas. It is Chocola who is out of step with reality. His attempt to "shoot the messenger" of truth, rather than to take a responsible approach in regard to energy conservation, shows his lack of civic stewardship. Chocola is perpetuating the environment of corruption and greed that we find in government and industry today. Do we need that kind of person representing us?

Susan MahoneySouth Bend

A fixture The LaSalle Branch library should continue to exist in the neighborhood on the west side where it has always been because the residents have grown accustomed to its presence as a fixture there. I am unaware of the frequency of attendance, but I feel certain with all of the recent publicity, interest and attendance will pick up and neighbors will be coming out of the woodwork.

Venard K. ChambersSouth Bend

Coverage I am very disappointed in the coverage The Tribune provided on the Mark Gardner trial. There were three days of stories; the first two were appropriate. It was important to hear the account, even though the April 12 story included testimony from the girl which was difficult to read due to the nature of the descriptions. It is the April 13 story that has me very concerned about your approach to this volatile case. Your final story was simply a less graphic retelling of the previous articles. This man was acquitted! This means that the defense presented testimony that convinced a jury in their favor, even where there is always a predisposition toward guilt in cases of molestation. Where were the accounts which led to dismissal of charges? Here is the extent of The Tribune's coverage for the defense: "Defense attorney Michael Tuszynski cautioned jurors not to let testimony about Gardner's conduct on non-criminal matters influence them on whether the state had proven his guilt." This one sentence is the only text that remotely defends an acquitted man. Quite frankly, I see this as one-sided reporting.